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Friday, July 2, 2010

Ups and Downs: 07/02/2010

This edition of Ups and Downs will look at a few players being added and dropped the most (according to ESPN leagues) and the possible reasons why.

SP Trevor Cahill, OAK (+35.1%) has a seven game winning streak (over nine starts) and has allowed one earned run or less in six of his last nine starts. Overall, Cahill is 8-2 with a 2.74 ERA and a 1.05 WHIP. Available in over 40% of all ESPN leagues, Cahill currently looks to be a solid fantasy starter.

1B Gaby Sanchez, FLA (+27.6%) is hitting .373 (38/102) over the last 30 days with four home runs, 16 RBI, 15 runs and even two stolen bases. If your league uses expanded roster spots like CI or IF, Sanchez should be owned. ESPN projects him to finish the season with 17 HRs, 78 RBI and 85 runs. Not the type of production you want out of your primary first baseman, but worthy of a roster spot in deeper leagues. He's only owned in 46.8% of ESPN leagues.

OF Carlos Quentin, CHW (+25.8%) has been a very frustrating player to own this season. It doesn't look like owning him will do anything positive for your team's batting average (.229 so far) but he has been trying to turn things around lately. Over the last 15 days, he's hitting .333 (14/42) with a robust 1.213 OPS aided by five home runs. Add in 14 RBI and eight runs and Quentin could be a very nice add. Your window to add him, though, has officially closed. He's now owned in 95.3% of all ESPN leagues. He's still on pace for 29 HRs and 109 RBI.

SP Brett Cecil, TOR (-25.5%) has lost his last three starts and pitches at NYY today. He's given up 16 ER over his last 15.2 IP. He's widely available (23.1% owned), so keep an eye on his next few starts to see if he rights the ship and becomes ownable or at least streamable.

OF Mike Stanton, FLA (-25.1%) and all of his home runs in the minors have not translated into success in the majors, yet. Through 19 games, he's struggling with a .230 average with two home runs, 31 strikeouts and just 6 walks. If you have the roster space and are in a keeper league, now might be a good time to stash him on the bench. PS, he's still just 20 years old.

RP Manny Corpas, COL (-22.5%) had his chance as the Rockies closer and made a mess of that opportunity. With Houston Street back in the closer role, Corpas should be dropped in all formats.

Who are you buying or finally dumping from your roster? Is the All-Star break the unofficial point to give up on guys like Aaron Hill or are you hanging in there longer? Feel free to comment here or follow me on Twitter.

2 comments:

Hi Daniel, I, too, am a member of the BBA (which is where I came across your blog.) I am also in my 17th season in Fantasy Baseball, so your blog will be very useful and interesting to me. Certainly, I am also interested in swapping blog info. So here's mine. My blog is The On Deck Circle (ondeckcircle.wordpress.com). It is a general baseball blog where I discuss baseball history, do baseball book reviews, post baseball videos, and share stories of playing sandlot ball as a kid. I like what I see here at your blog, and will certainly be checking in again in the near future.Regarding Aaron Hill, he is my fantasy team's second baseman. I am leaning towards finally pulling the plug on him next week. I'll check in again soon, Bill

Bill,Thanks for such great feedback. I already have you in my Blog Exchange and will be calling on you soon to participate in my next "Fantasy Forum". Check out previous topics (Fantasy Forum tag) and feel free to comment.